Blooming Rooms: A Plant Lover's Guide to Interior Design
by Ken Lain, the mountain gardener
When it comes to integrating plants into your home, doing it right can significantly enhance your living space's aesthetic and health benefits. Rather than simply placing random greenery around your home, consider choosing plants tailored to each room's environment and lifestyle. With the proper selection, you improve air quality and enjoy therapeutic benefits, such as better sleep and reduced anxiety.
Living Room: Golden Pothos
In the heart of your home, the living room, a golden pothos thrives. Known for its long, trailing vines, the golden pothos is remarkably forgiving, flourishing in both low light and with irregular watering. This makes it ideal for those who occasionally forget that they have plants to care for. Hang it by a window, letting its vines create a natural curtain that draws the eye upward, enhancing the room's height.
Care Tip: Check the soil weekly. If the top inch feels dry, it's time to water.
Bedroom: Jasmine
Your bedroom should be a sanctuary; jasmine is the perfect plant to enrich this space. Jasmine has been shown to promote better sleep and even reduce anxiety because it is known for its sweet, calming fragrance. According to research from Wheeling Jesuit University, the scent of jasmine can lead to a deeper, more restful sleep by minimizing sleep movement.
Care Tip: Jasmine loves relaxed, humid environments. Consider using a humidifier if you live in a dry area to simulate the ideal conditions.
Bathroom: Philodendron
Perfect for the bathroom, philodendrons flourish in humidity and indirect sunlight. Their lush, green leaves add a touch of the tropics to your morning routine.
Care Tip: Water weekly, allowing the soil to dry slightly between waterings. Drooping leaves signal either too much or too little water.
Home Office: Peace Lilies
In your workspace, peace lilies strike a balance between beauty and ease. Known for their air-purifying properties, these elegant plants prefer indirect sunlight and require minimal maintenance, making them an excellent choice for a low-demand office environment.
Care Tip: A weekly watering is usually sufficient. If the leaves turn yellow, the plant needs to move away from direct sunlight. Note: Peace lilies are toxic to cats, so if you have pets, consider opting for orchids instead. Like peace lilies, orchids are stunning and require similar care, minus the risk to curious felines.
Pet Friendly Plants - Pawsitively Perfect Pet Plants
Sun Room or Porch: Aloe Plants
Aloe plants are essential for sunrooms or porches, offering both visual interest and practical use. Their hardy nature and love for direct sunlight make them perfect for these bright areas. Plus, the soothing gel inside their leaves can be used for minor burns and skin irritations, making them a convenient addition to your plant collection.
Care Tip: Allow the soil to dry out between waterings. Check the top inch of soil; if it's dry, give it a drink.
By thoughtfully choosing plants suited to each room's unique environments, you'll beautify your home and harness nature's ability to improve indoor air quality and enhance your well-being. Whether it's the calming scent of jasmine in the bedroom or the hardy aloe on the porch, the right plant selection can transform your living space into a green sanctuary.
Free Garden Classes are offered @ Watters Garden Center
We go deep into growing better. Check out this autumn class selection offered every Saturday @ 9:30 am.
October 12 – Autumn Colors for Fall Gardens
October 19 - Succulents, Cacti and Southwest Gardens
October 26 – Seasoned 7 for Color
Until next issue, I'll be helping locals grow the right houseplants here at Watters Garden Center.
